Serious criminals are being warned a new camera car is targeting them in large areas of Derby with the aim of finding child abusers, human traffickers and wanted crooks.

The police vehicle will regularly patrol areas including Sinfin, Littleover, Normanton, Allenton and Alvaston in a bid to crackdown on criminals.

A car has been fitted with automatic number plate recognition technology, which means a registration number is read and instantly checked against database records of vehicles of interest.

Officers can intercept a vehicle, check if for evidence and question the driver. Cameras around the city which also use the same technology will alert officers where people of interest are so they can track them down with the vehicle.

Greg Hunt, Inspector for Derby East, said the vehicle, which has been funded between the police and city council, will lead to hardened crooks being caught.

Inspector Greg Hunt

He said: "The technology automatically reads a number plate and then automatically flags anything up if they're wanted for offences, are a person of interest, or somebody who we want to build an intelligence picture about.

"It'll be used in areas across Derby East and Derby West which pose the greatest risk and threat. I'm really looking forward for the teams to be able to get out there and use it. It works with cameras across the city and will alert the officers in that vehicle if the cameras have picked up a registration plate.

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"It will be able to inform them of the location and they can act. This is a warning that any criminal who wants to use the road can be prepared to answer for the offences they have committed. The community should be assured as well. Officers will be on dedicated active patrols. I think this will be a big success."

Inspector Hunt said the cameras will be coming after all criminals, but especially perverts exploiting children, human traffickers, burglaries and robbers.

He said: "Our officers are looking forward to being able to use this technology. I'm confident it will lead to serious criminals being taken off the streets and held accountable for their actions.